Solar Kitchen, Auroville

Architecture by: Suhasini Ayer

Type of building use: institutional building for visitors to Auroville
Year of completion:1996-2001
Built-up area: Presently about 2000 m² Plot size: 3 acres

Location: Crown Urban Corridor, Auroville Climatic Zone: Hot Humid coastal zone
Actual Occupancy: Cooking for 1000 person per meal time with seating for 350 at one serving

Integrated site planning for effective management of surface and roof run-off to recharge the aquifer
Landscaping with indigenous “tropical deciduous evergreen forest” –reduced water needs merged with food production
Decentralised recycling of all waste water including black
Urban agriculture to grown fruits
Solid waste management with segregation / recycling / composting
Solar Bowl integrated as a roof to generate steam for cooking
Use of appropriate building materials and technology like CSEB / ferrocement / light roofing / natural stone floors / minimum wood use
Solar passive design; natural ventilation / lighting / solar chimneys
Energy efficient fixtures for lighting and appliances

The operating principles of the team working in Auroville Design Consultants

Beauty and harmony in the built and natural environment is essential for a healthy living
Minimalism in design - simple and elegant forms integrating sustainable and green building practices
seek active and informed participation with clients and make them a part of the design process
- Be in context; to site conditions, function, climate, building materials and technology, ease of execution and cost effectiveness

Actual Energy Performance Index in Not monitored.

Percentage of A/C and non A/C regularly occupied spaces: No A/C’s in the building since 21 yrs of occupation

Owner / User Testimony: The building is extensively used even outside the meal hours with a vibrant coffee cum internet centre on the roof. Youth organize spontaneous get together on the dining hall roof. The entrance is a hang out space for the visitors and children

Awards / Green Rating / Energy :None

Architecture by: Suhasini Ayer

Structural Design by: Auroservice d’ Auroville, Puducherry.

Services Design by: Auroville Design Consultants

Project management: Auroville Design Consultants

Contractor: We have been using many local petty contractors as the aim is to train along with the development. So each section of the project has been done by different team and when they have acquired the skills in the appropriate building materials they are encouraged to find new contracts. The 3 main contractors have been Ramamlingam, K. Vijay and Loganathan

Name of the Architectural Practice:
Suhasini Ayer Guigan -
Auroville Design Consultants

Photo of the Architect/Partners

Address: CSR, Auroshilpam
Auroville Tamil Nadu - 605 101

Tel: + 0091 413 262 2784
Email: suhasini@auroville.org.in
Website: www.aurovilledesign.com

External Links
Google “Suhasini Ayer” –do not have too much on the web .

Types of services offered. (Architecture, Structural, Services, Project Management, Contracting, Green Rating Facilitation, Energy Performance Simulation, Energy Audit…)

Planning/ architectural design / consultation - sustainable design and technologies